Re the question from Jaideep on the murders / assassinations, one possible explanation is lack of legitimacy. None of the guys prima facie had any justifiable claim to rulership. So if one thinks he has it, the other too may. That could also explain why there were so many slaves, courtiers taking formal power.

One more correction: Sandeep mentions that Cobban is Kannanur (Kuppam). And he rightly says it should not be confused with today’s Kannur. But he says it is Tiruvannamalai. It is actually Tiruchi or more precisely Samayapuram just to the north of Srirangam. Tiruvannamalai BTW was Vira Ballala’s second capital.

BTW on Vira Ballala III, Prof. Krishnaswamy Aiyangar in his dedication of his book says ‘ …Vira Ballal III who devoted his life to the cause of Hinduism and made it possible for the South Indian Hindus to be the Hindus they are today’